Fluid dispensing vessel

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispensing vessel is described and which includes a container body which has a top dispensing opening, and a longitudinal axis; and a removable lid for selectively occluding the top dispensing opening of the container body. The removable lid has a first aperture which allows fluid to flow from the container body out through the removable lid, and a fluid flowing regulating valve which is slideably borne by the removable lid, and which may be moved by a user from a first position which prohibits fluid flow from the container body, to a second position which allows fluid flow from the container body and through the removable lid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to fluid dispensing vessels, anda mechanism for sealing and unsealing such vessels, and moreparticularly to an arrangement for opening and closing a drinking vesselwith a single touch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinking containers of various types including travel mugs are wellknown in the art. Such drinking vessels have been designed for variouspurposes such as to be used on bicycles, while hiking, and doing variousindoor and outdoor activities. In this art field much effort has beenundertaken to design various removable lids, closure devices, or othermechanisms for opening and closing a drinking orifice of a drinkingcontainer in a convenient manner and to prohibit the spilling of thedrink contained within the drinking vessel should it be accidentlyoverturned. One example of a drinking vessel of this type is exemplifiedby U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933, the subject matter of which is incorporatedby reference herein. In this particular piece of prior art, the drinkingvessel has a container body and a removable lid which covers the cavityof the drinking container, and which further has a trigger mechanismwhich operates various apertures in the lid so as to convenientlydispense the drink to the user thereof.

While the aforementioned US Patent, and others have operated withvarious degrees of success, there are shortcomings with such designswhich have prohibited their commercial implementation. For example, inthe prior art device noted above, the prior art product, when delivered,is readily operable to open and close a drink orifice with a singletouch. However, a thorough review of the patent will reveal that themechanism is quite complex in its overall design. Further, because ofits complexity, and the fact that most of the mechanism is enclosedwithin the removable cover, such components inevitably become exposed tovarious different drinks which might be consumed by the user. Forexample, these drinking vessels may routinely be used to carry hotbeverages, such as coffee. However, on occasion, such vessels may alsobe used for soft drink beverages, and even alcoholic beverages such aswine. When the internal components of these removable lids are exposedto such diverse fluids, often trace amounts of the fluid becomesdeposited on these components. Later, when the liquid portionevaporates, it leaves behind a sticky residue or other deposit whichwill eventually cause the mechanism to malfunction. Further, suchdeposits within the removable caps also create an unsanitary conditionwhich, before long, will make the drinking vessel unsafe to use.

Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have afluid dispensing vessel which can be opened and closed by a singletouch, and which is easy to maintain, sanitary, and provides numerousbenefits not achievable with the prior art devices known, heretofore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing vessel whichincludes a container body for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, andwherein the container body has a top dispensing opening, and alongitudinal axis; and a removable lid for selectively occluding the topdispensing opening of the container body, and wherein the removable lidhas a first aperture which allows fluid to flow from the container bodyout through the removable lid, and a fluid flowing regulating valvewhich is slideably borne by the removable lid, and which may be moved bya user with a single touch from a first position which prohibits fluidflow from the container body, to a second position which allows fluidflow from the container body and through the removable lid.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluid dispensingvessel which includes a container body defining an internal cavity forenclosing a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container bodydefines a top dispensing opening, and is further defined by alongitudinal axis; a removable lid which releasably engages thecontainer body and which selectively occludes the top dispensingopening, and wherein the removable lid has a main body which has anoutside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface, andwherein the main body further defines a first aperture which allows thesource of fluid held in the internal cavity of the container body topass therethrough, and a second aperture which couples an ambientatmospheric environment surrounding the container body with the internalcavity; and a fluid flowing regulating valve moveably supported in acantilevered orientation on the inside facing surface of the main bodyof the removable lid, and wherein the fluid flowing regulating valve maybe forcibly moved by a user from a first position which prohibits fluidflow from the internal cavity of the container body, to a secondposition, which allows fluid flow from the internal cavity of thecontainer body.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluiddispensing vessel which includes a container body defining an internalcavity for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the containerbody defines a top dispensing opening, and is further defined by alongitudinal axis; a removable lid which releasably engages thecontainer body and which selectively occludes the top dispensingopening, and wherein the removable lid has a main body which has anoutside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface, andwherein the main body further defines a first aperture which allows thesource of fluid held in the internal cavity of the container body topass therethrough, and a second aperture which couples an ambientatmospheric environment surrounding the container body with the internalcavity; a support member depending downwardly from the inside facingsurface of the removable lid; and a fluid flowing regulating valvemoveably supported on the support member and in spaced relation relativeto the inside facing surface of the removable lid, and wherein the fluidflowing regulating valve may be forcibly moved by a user with a singletouch along a linear path of travel from a first position whichprohibits fluid flow from the internal cavity of the container body, toa second position, which allows fluid flow from the internal cavity ofthe container body.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below withreference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a transverse, longitudinal, sectional view taken through thefluid dispensing vessel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first form of a removable lid which isa feature of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view which istaken from a position along 3-3 of FIG. 2 and through a first form of aremovable lid which forms a feature of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second greatly enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectionalview which is taken from a position along 4-4 of FIG. 2 and through afirst form of a removable lid which is a feature of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view which istaken from a position along 5-5 of FIG. 2 and which shows a second,alternative form of the removable lid which forms a feature of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view which istaken from a position along 6-6 of FIG. 2 and which shows a second,alternative form of the removable lid which is a feature of the presentinvention, and which shows the fluid flowing regulating valve in asecond position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the removable lid as seen in FIG. 6 andwhich is a feature of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The present invention is best appreciated by the study of FIG. 1, andfollowing. As seen therein, the fluid dispensing vessel 10 of thepresent invention generally includes a container body which is indicatedby the numeral 11. The container body has a first end 12, and anopposite, second end 13. The container body 11 is further defined by agenerally circular and continuous sidewall 14, and a bottom surface 15is provided, and which is suitably coupled to the continuous sidewall 14to form the resulting container body 11. As seen in FIG. 1, the sidewall14 has an outside facing surface 20, and an inside facing surface 21. Aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as appreciated by astudy of the drawings, the outside facing surface 20 of the sidewall 14,in the region of the second end 13, may provide, in one form of theinvention, a smooth circumscribing surface with which a removable lidmay releasably, sealably engage. On the other hand, the present drawingsshow this outside facing surface 20 as bearing screw threads 33. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that this outside facing surface mayhave other conventional means (not shown) formed therein by which anaccompanying removable lid may be releasably secured in a convenientmanner to the second end of the container body 11. The removable lid,which forms a feature of the present invention, will be discussed ingreater detail, hereinafter. The inside facing surface 21, of thesidewall 14, defines an internal cavity 22 of given dimensions. Stillfurther, the sidewall 14 at the second end 13, of the container body 11,defines a peripheral edge 23. This peripheral edge 23 further defines adispensing opening 24. Additionally, the container body 11 is defined bya longitudinal axis which is generally indicated by the line labeled 25.It should be understood that the internal cavity 22 is operable toenclose a fluid, or liquid to be dispensed 26. This fluid or liquid tobe dispensed moves into, and out of, the internal cavity 22 by means ofthe dispensing opening 24 in the manner which will be described ingreater detail, hereinafter. As seen in FIG. 2, and in one possible formof the invention, the internal cavity 22 includes a second internalsidewall 30 as is well known in the fashion of a thermal insulatingcontainer. The internal sidewall 30 is positioned in spaced relationshipfrom the inside facing surface 21, and a gap 31 is defined therebetweenthe inside facing surface 21 and the internal wall 30. Still further,and as seen in the drawings, the container body 11 includes acircumscribing and circumferentially enlarged abutment 32 which isspaced from the second end 13, and which provides a convenient visualmeans for indicating to the user of the vessel 10 that the removable lid(as will be described below) is fully seated and positioned in a correctsealably occluding relationship relative to the dispensing opening 24 ofthe container body 11.

With reference to FIG. 1, and following, it will be understood that thepresent invention 10 includes a removable lid which is generallyindicated by the numeral 40. The removable lid, as a general matter, isuseful for selectively occluding the top dispensing opening 24 of thecontainer body 11. In this regard, the removable lid has a main body 41which has an outside facing surface 42, and an opposite inside facingsurface 43. Still further, the outside facing surface is defined, atleast in part, by an upwardly extending drinking spout which isgenerally indicated by the numeral 44. Still further, a cavity 45 thatis defined by a plurality of sidewalls 46 is formed in the outsidefacing surface 42. The significance of this cavity will be discussed ingreater detail in the paragraphs which follow.

As best seen by reference to FIG. 3 and following, the main body 41 ofthe removable lid 40 has a downwardly depending and substantiallycircular sidewall 50 which defines a cavity 51 which is operable totelescopingly and threadably receive or otherwise releasably andsealably cooperate with the second end 13, of the container body 11, ina manner as conventionally known in the art. In this regard, the insidefacing surface 43 of the main body 41 defines inwardly oriented andmating threads 52 which are operable to threadably engage the screwthreads 33 which are formed in the outside facing surface 20 of thecontainer body 11. Further, formed in the inside facing surface 43 ofthe main body 41 is a seal seat 53 which is operable to receive a fluidimpervious seal 54 which allows the removable lid 40 to be threadablyadvanced and then sealably engage the container body 11 in a manner soas to prevent any leakage of the liquid to be dispensed 26 from thecavity 22 of the container body 11. Additionally, as will be seen inFIG. 3 and following, in the several forms of the invention 10, asshown, a first channel 55, of given dimensions, is formed in the mainbody 41, and extends generally radially inwardly relative to the mainbody 41. This first channel 55 is operable to slideably receive a fluidflowing regulating valve as will be discussed in greater detail,hereinafter.

As seen in FIG. 3 and following, it will be understood that a firstaperture 61 is formed in the main body 41 of the removable lid 40 andthe region of the upwardly extending spout 44. Still further, a secondaperture 62 is formed in the main body 41 and is located in the regionof the cavity 45. The second aperture is provided so as to allow asurrounding ambient environment to communicate directly with theinternal cavity 22 as defined by the container body 11 so as to allowthe convenient dispensing of the liquid 26 from the internal cavity 22,and to prevent a vacuum from developing within same by the drinkingaction of a user, not shown. The operation of the second aperture willbe discussed in greater detail, below. As will be seen from thedrawings, the second aperture 62 is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the first channel 55. As further seen FIG. 3, and following,a fluid passageway 63 depends downwardly from the inside surface 43 ofthe main body 41. This fluid passageway 63 has a proximal end 64 whichis coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the first aperture 61,and further has an opposite, second, or distal end 65. In one form ofthe invention as best understood by reference to FIG. 5, a post of givendimensions 66 is mounted on, and depends downwardly from, the insidefacing surface 43 and is operable to define the path of movement for thefluid flowing regulating valve which will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter. The post 66 has a distal end 67 as indicated in FIG. 5.

In one form of the invention as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a support memberwhich is generally indicated by the numeral 70 is affixed to the insidefacing surface 43 of the main body 41, and depends downwardly therefrom.The main body 71 of the support member 70 has a first end 72 which isaffixed to the inside facing surface 43, and an opposite, second, ordistal end 73. A bottom supporting surface 74 is provided, and a cavity75 is defined internally of the main body and which is sized so as toslideably receive and support the fluid flowing regulating valve whichwill be discussed in greater detail, below. As best seen by reference toFIG. 3, the trailing edge 76 (FIG. 3) of the bottom supporting surface74 includes an abutment 77 which operably engages the fluid flowingregulating valve as will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter,and defines at least in part, a course of travel for the fluid flowingregulating valve.

As mentioned above, the present invention 10 includes a fluid flowingregulating valve 80 which is slideably borne by the removable lid 40,and which may be moved by a single touch of a user along a path oftravel which will be described below. The fluid flowing regulating valvereliably controls the flow of the liquid to be dispensed 26 from thecontainer body 11, and also prevents the dispensing of same in the eventthat the fluid dispensing vessel 10 is inadvertently overturned. In thisregard, the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 is shown in the drawingsas in a first form 81, (as seen in FIG. 3) and in a second form 82 (asseen in FIG. 5.) The respective forms of the fluid flowing regulatingvalve 80 each have a main body 83 which has a first or proximal end 84and an opposite distal end 85. Each of the forms 81 and 82 of the fluidflowing regulating valve 80 also have a top surface 90, and an oppositebottom surface 91. As seen most clearly by reference to FIG. 3 andfollowing, a notch or gap 92 is formed in the second or distal end 85and provides a convenient means by which liquid to be dispensed 26 maypass by or around the second or distal end 85, and be received in thedistal end 65 of the fluid passageway 63 when the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 is appropriately positioned along the path of travelwhich will be described. As best seen by a study of FIG. 4, it will beunderstood that the main body 83 includes a pair of depending sidewalls93 extending downwardly from the top surface 90. Still further, as seenin the sectional view of FIG. 5, for example, a continuous seal race 94is formed into the top and bottom surfaces 90 and 91 and is operable toreceive a first fluid impervious seal 95 which operably engages thefirst channel 55 formed in the main body 41 of the removable lid 40 andsubstantially prevents the movement of liquid past same. Depending uponthe position of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80, this first fluidimpervious seal 95 may either prevent or permit the second aperture 62to be coupled in fluid flowing or air pressure transferring relationrelative to the internal cavity 22 as defined by the container body 11.Those skilled in the art will recognize that by coupling the ambientatmosphere through the second aperture 62 to the internal cavity 22 themovement of fluid or liquid to be dispensed out of the internal cavity22 will go easily because it will substantially prevent the creation ofa vacuum within the internal cavity 22 of the container body. As seen inFIG. 3 and following, it will also be noted that a second fluidimpervious seal 96 is received thereabout the distal end 65 of the fluidpassageway 63, and is operable to sealably mate, and cooperate with thetop surface 90 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80. The operationof these two fluid impervious seals, 95 and 96 will be discussed ingreater detail, hereinafter.

As seen in FIG. 3 and following, it will be understood that the fluidflowing regulating valve 80 has a proximal end wall 100 which is locatedin substantial alignment with and in coaxially orientation relative toan uppermost circumscribing outside facing surface of the main body 41when the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 is in a first position whichwill be described hereinafter; and further is located in a spaced,radially outwardly oriented position relative to the uppermostcircumscribing outside facing surface when the fluid flowing regulatingvalve 80 is in a second position as seen most clearly by reference toFIG. 6. This proximal end wall 100 has an inside facing surface 101which provides a convenient location whereby the finger of the user maybe placed in order to apply force, with a single touch, to cause thefluid flowing regulating valve 80 to move along a course of travel,which will be discussed, below. The inside facing surface 101 forms oneof the surfaces which defines the cavity 45 which is formed, at least inpart, by the outside facing surface 42 of the removable lid 40. As seenmost clearly in FIG. 3, the first form of the invention 81 has amovement limiting post 102 extending downwardly relative to the mainbody 83. The movement limiting post 102 is operable to engage theabutment 77 which is made integral with the support member 70 therebydefining, at least in part, the course of travel of the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 as it moves along the course of travel which will bediscussed, below.

As seen by reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, it will be understood that in thesecond form 82 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 that anelongated second channel 103 is formed in the main body 83. Theelongated main channel has a first end 104, and an opposite second end105. The elongated second channel 103 receives and cooperates with thedepending post 66. The engagement of the post 66 relative to the firstand second ends 104 and 105, respectively defines a linear course oftravel for the fluid flowing regulating valve 80. As will be recognizedby a study of FIG. 5, for example, it will be understood that the mainbody 83 of the second form 82 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80is supported for linear travel and perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis 25 in a cantilevered manner by way of the first channel 55. Incontrast, and referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen in this form of theinvention that the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 is supported atboth the proximal and distal ends hereof by other supporting structures,but similarly is moveable along a path of travel, as described below,substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis 25 as seenin FIG. 1.

As discussed above, the present invention 10, and more specifically thefluid flowing regulating valve 80 thereof, is moveable along a path oftravel 110 (FIG. 6) which is substantially perpendicular relative to thelongitudinal axis 25 from a first position 111, as best seen byreference to FIGS. 3 and 5, and where the fluid flowing regulating valve80, in the first position 111, substantially prevents the dispensing ofany liquid or fluid 26 from the internal cavity 22 of the container body11. In this first position, 111, the second fluid impervious seal 96engages the top surface 90 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 soas to prevent fluid from passing through the notch or gap 92 fromreaching the fluid passageway 63 which is coupled to the first aperture61. Further, it will be recognized by studying FIGS. 3 and 5 that thefirst fluid impervious seal 94 is positioned such that the ambientatmosphere cannot readily communicate with the internal cavity 22.Moreover, the first fluid impervious seal is in a blocking or sealingposition such that if the fluid dispensing vessel 10 is turned orknocked over, fluid or liquid may not escape from the internal cavity 22and pass by the first fluid impervious seal and escape from thecontainer body 11, by way of the second aperture 62.

When force is applied to the proximal end wall 100 of the fluid flowingregulating valve 80, the main body 83 is caused to move along the pathof travel 110 from the first position 111 to the second position 112,which is best understood by reference to FIG. 6. In the second position112, the proximal end 84 is positioned radially outwardly relative tothe main body 83. Still further, the notch or gap 92 which is formed inthe distal end 85 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 is located ina position such that fluid or liquid 26 may move from the internalcavity 22 through the gap or notch and enter into the proximal end 64 ofthe fluid passageway 63. Once received, the liquid or fluid then escapesout from the first aperture 61. Additionally, it will be recognized thatthe first fluid impervious seal 95 is now located in a position suchthat the ambient atmosphere may readily communicate through the secondaperture 62 with the cavity 22 thereby preventing a vacuum from beingcreated and prohibiting the dispensing of the liquid 26 from theinternal cavity 22. As will be recognized, in the second form 82 of thefluid flowing regulating valve 80, the main body 83 is supported in acantilevered orientation relative to the main body 41 of the remarkablelid 40. On the other hand, in the first form 81 thereof, the proximaland distal ends 84 and 85 are both supported by other structures whichhave been described above. In the present invention, and in both formsof the invention as shown, the communication of the ambient environmentto the internal cavity 22, by way of the second aperture 62 is by meansof the movement of the fluid flowing to other similarly designeddrinking vessels.

Operation

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention isbelieved to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

In its broadest aspects, a fluid dispensing vessel 10 of the presentinvention includes a container body 11 for enclosing a fluid 26 to bedispensed, and wherein the container body 11 has a top dispensingopening 24, and a longitudinal axis 25. Still further, the inventionincludes a removable lid 40 for selectively occluding the top dispensingopening 24 of the container body 11, and wherein the removable lid 40has a first aperture 61 which allows fluid 26 to flow from the containerbody 11 out through the removable lid 40, and a fluid flowing regulatingvalve 80 which is slideably borne by the removable lid 40, and which maybe moved by a user from a first position 111 which prohibits fluid flowfrom the container body 11, to a second position 112 which allows fluidflow from the container body 11 and through the removable lid 40. Asearlier discussed, the path of travel 110 is perpendicularly orientatedrelative to the longitudinal axis 25 as described in the specification.In the invention 10 as shown in the drawings, the container body 11further defines an internal cavity 22 which encloses a fluid 26 to bedispensed. The removable lid 40 further defines a second aperture 62which couples an ambient atmospheric environment surrounding thecontainer body 11 with the internal cavity 22 when the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 is in the second position 112 and which allows fluidflow from the container body 11, and through the removable lid 40. Asdiscussed above, fluid flowing regulating valve 80 has a proximal end 84which may be grasped or pressed upon by a user's fingers, and movedalternatively, and reciprocally, radially outwardly, and inwardly,relative to the longitudinal axis 25 so as to move the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 between the first and the second positions 111 and112, respectively, and along the course of travel 110.

In the arrangement as shown in the drawings, the removable lid 40defines a fluid passageway 63 which is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the first aperture 61 formed in the removable lid 40. Thefirst passageway allows fluid to flow from the container body 11 outthrough the removable lid 40. The passageway 63 has a distal end 65, anda fluid impervious seal 96 is mounted on the distal end of thepassageway 63 and further sealably cooperates with the slideable, fluidflowing regulating valve 80. As earlier discussed, the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 also mounts another fluid impervious seal 95 whichprevents fluid 26 from escaping from the container body 11, and passingthrough the second aperture 62 when the fluid flowing regulating valve80 is located in the first or closed position 111. In one form of theinvention, a support member 70 is provided, and which slideably supportsthe fluid flowing regulating valve 80 in a perpendicular orientationrelative to the longitudinal axis 25 of the container body 11. In yetanother form of the invention, a post 102 is borne by the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 and cooperates with the support member so as todefine the first and second positions 111 and 112 of the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 as it moves along a course of travel 110. Asdescribed above, the invention 10 includes a post 66 which is mounted onthe removable lid 40, and which cooperates with the fluid flowingregulating valve 80 so as to define the first and second positions 111and 112 of the fluid flowing regulating valve 80 as it moves along thecourse of travel 110.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluiddispensing vessel 10 which comprises a container body 11 defining aninternal cavity 22 for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed 26. Thecontainer body 11 defines a top dispensing opening 24, and is furtherdefined by a longitudinal axis 25. A removable lid 40 is provided andwhich releasably engages the container body 11, and which selectivelyoccludes the top dispensing opening 24. The removable lid has a mainbody 41 which has an outside facing surface 42, and an opposite insidefacing surface 43. The main body 41 further defines a first aperture 61which allows the source of fluid 26 held in the internal cavity 22 ofthe container body to pass therethrough. Still further, a secondaperture 62 is provided and which couples an ambient atmosphericenvironment surrounding the container body 11 with the internal cavity22. The invention 10 also includes a fluid flowing regulating valve 80which is moveably supported in a cantilevered orientation 82 on theinside facing surface 43 of the main body 41. The fluid flowingregulating valve 80 may be forcibly moved by a user with a single touchfrom a first position 111 which prohibits fluid flow from the internalcavity 22 of the container body 11, to a second position 112, whichallows fluid flow from the internal cavity of the container body 11.

Yet still another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluiddispensing vessel 10 comprising a container body 11 defining an internalcavity 22 for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed 26. The container body11 defines a top dispensing opening 24, and is further defined by alongitudinal axis 25. A removable lid 40 releasably engages thecontainer body 11 and selectively occludes the top dispensing opening24. The removable lid 40 has a main body 41 which has an outside facingsurface 42, and an opposite inside facing surface 43. The main bodyfurther defines a first aperture 61 which allows the source of fluid 26held in the internal cavity 22 of the container body 11 to passtherethrough. Further, a second aperture 62 couples an ambientatmospheric environment surrounding the container body with the internalcavity. A support member 70 depending downwardly from the inside facingsurface 43 of the removable lid 40 is provided. Further, a fluid flowingregulating valve 80 is moveably supported on the support member, 70 andis disposed in spaced relation relative to the inside facing surface 43of the removable lid 40. The fluid flowing regulating valve 80 may beforcibly moved by a user along a linear path of travel 110 from a firstposition 111 which prohibits fluid flow from the internal cavity 22 ofthe container body 11, to a second position 112, which allows fluid flowfrom the internal cavity of the container body 11.

Therefore, it will be seen that the fluid dispensing vessel of thepresent invention 10 provides many conveniences and other advantages notpresent in the prior art vessels which have been used, heretofore.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A fluid dispensing vessel, comprising: a container body for enclosinga fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container body has a topdispensing opening, and a longitudinal axis; and a removable lid forselectively occluding the top dispensing opening of the container body,and wherein the removable lid has a first aperture which allows fluid toflow from the container body out through the removable lid, and a fluidflowing regulating valve which is slideably borne by the removable lid,and which may be moved by a user from a first position which prohibitsfluid flow from the container body, to a second position which allowsfluid flow from the container body and through the removable lid.
 2. Afluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the movementof the fluid flowing regulating valve is along a path of travel definedbetween the first and second positions, and wherein the path of travelis perpendicularly orientated relative to the longitudinal axis, andwherein the location of the fluid flowing regulating valve in the secondposition simultaneously couples the container body to the ambientenvironment.
 3. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, andwherein the container body further defines an internal cavity whichencloses a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the removable lid furtherdefines a second aperture which couples an ambient atmosphericenvironment surrounding the container body with the internal cavity whenthe fluid flowing regulating valve is in the second position and whichallows fluid flow from the container body, and through the removablelid, and wherein the second aperture substantially prevents ambientatmospheric communication with the internal cavity of the container bodywhen the fluid flowing regulating valve is located in the firstposition.
 4. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, andwherein the fluid flowing regulating valve has a proximal end which maybe grasped by a user's fingers, and moved alternatively, andreciprocally, radially outwardly, and inwardly, relative to thelongitudinal axis so as to move the fluid flowing regulating valvebetween the first and the second positions.
 5. A fluid dispensing vesselas claimed in claim 1, and wherein the removable lid has an uppermostcircumscribing, and outside facing surface, and wherein the fluidflowing regulating valve has a proximal end which is located insubstantial alignment with, and in coaxial orientation relative to, theuppermost circumscribing outside facing surface when the fluid flowingregulating valve is in the first position, and which is further locatedin a spaced, radially outwardly oriented position relative to theuppermost circumscribing, outside facing surface when the fluid flowingregulating valve is in the second position.
 6. A fluid dispensing vesselas claimed in claim 1, and wherein the removable lid defines apassageway which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to thefirst aperture formed in the removable lid, and which further allowsfluid to flow from the container body out through the removable lid, andwherein the passageway has a distal end, and a fluid impervious seal ismounted on the distal end of the passageway and further sealablycooperates with the slideable, fluid flowing regulating valve.
 7. Afluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the fluidflowing regulating valve mounts another fluid impervious seal whichsealably cooperates with the removable lid so as to prevent fluid fromescaping from the container body and passing through the second aperturewhen the fluid flowing regulating valve is located in the firstposition.
 8. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, andfurther comprising: a support member borne by the removable lid andslideably supporting the fluid flowing regulating valve in aperpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of thecontainer body.
 9. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 8, andfurther comprising: a post borne by the fluid flowing regulating valveand cooperating with the support member so as to define the first andsecond positions of the fluid flowing regulating valve.
 10. A fluiddispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: a postmounted on removable lid and which cooperates with the fluid flowingregulating valve so as to define the first and second positions of thefluid flowing regulating valve.
 11. A fluid dispensing vessel,comprising: a container body defining an internal cavity for enclosing afluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container body defines a topdispensing opening, and is further defined by a longitudinal axis; aremovable lid which releasably engages the container body and whichselectively occludes the top dispensing opening, and wherein theremovable lid has a main body which has an outside facing surface, andan opposite inside facing surface, and wherein the main body furtherdefines a first aperture which allows the source of fluid held in theinternal cavity of the container body to pass therethrough, and a secondaperture which couples an ambient atmospheric environment surroundingthe container body with the internal cavity; and a fluid flowingregulating valve moveably supported in a cantilevered orientation on theinside facing surface of the main body, and wherein the fluid flowingregulating valve may be forcibly moved by a user from a first positionwhich prohibits fluid flow from the internal cavity of the containerbody, to a second position, which allows fluid flow from the internalcavity of the container body.
 12. A fluid dispensing valve as claimed inclaim 11, and wherein the outside facing surface of the removable liddefines an upwardly extending sipping spout, and the first aperture isformed in the sipping spout, and wherein the outside facing surfacefurther defines a cavity which is defined by a sidewall, and the secondaperture is located in the cavity.
 13. A fluid dispensing valve asclaimed in claim 12, and wherein a first channel is formed in the mainbody of the removable lid, and which receives, and supports the fluidflowing regulating valve in a cantilevered orientation relative to theremovable lid, and wherein the first channel supports the fluid flowingregulating valve in a perpendicular orientation relative to thelongitudinal axis of the container body.
 14. A fluid dispensing valve asclaimed in claim 13, and wherein the fluid flowing regulating valve hasa main body with a proximal end which may be grasped by the fingers of auser, and a distal end, and wherein an elongated second channel isformed in the main body of the fluid flowing regulating valve; andwherein a fluid impervious seal is borne by the fluid flowing regulatingvalve and engages the first channel which is formed in the main body ofthe removable lid.
 15. A fluid dispensing valve as claimed in claim 14,and further comprising: a post which is made integral with the insidefacing surface of the main body of the fluid flowing regulating valve,and which extends downwardly and extends through the elongated secondchannel as defined by fluid flowing regulating valve, and wherein thepost cooperates with the fluid flowing regulating valve so as to definea linear path of travel for the fluid flowing regulating valve betweenthe first and second positions.
 16. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimedin claim 15, and further comprising: a fluid passageway made integralwith the main body of the removable lid and extending downwardlyrelative to the inside facing surface thereof, and wherein the fluidpassageway has a proximal end which is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the first aperture formed in the removable lid, and anopposite, distal end, and wherein a another fluid impervious seal ismounted on the distal end of the fluid passageway and sealably engagesthe distal end of the fluid flowing regulating valve when the fluidflowing regulating valve moves linearly along the path of travel betweenthe first and second positions.
 17. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimedin claim 16, and wherein, in the first position, the first and secondfluid impervious seals prevents any of the source of fluid containedwithin the container body from being dispensed from the fluid dispensingvessel through either the first or second apertures, and wherein whenthe fluid flowing regulating valve is moved from the first position tothe second position, the source of fluid may move from the containerbody past the distal end of the fluid flowing regulating valve andthrough the fluid passage for dispensing through the first aperture, andwherein the first mentioned fluid impervious seal permits the cavity ofthe container body to communicate with the surrounding ambientenvironment.
 18. A fluid dispensing vessel, comprising: a container bodydefining an internal cavity for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, andwherein the container body defines a top dispensing opening, and isfurther defined by a longitudinal axis; a removable lid which releasablyengages the container body and which selectively occludes the topdispensing opening, and wherein the removable lid has a main body whichhas an outside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface,and wherein the main body further defines a first aperture which allowsthe source of fluid held in the internal cavity of the container body topass therethrough, and a second aperture which couples an ambientatmospheric environment surrounding the container body with the internalcavity; a support member depending downwardly from the inside facingsurface of the removable lid; and a fluid flowing regulating valvemoveably supported on the support member and in spaced relation relativeto the inside facing surface of the removable lid, and wherein the fluidflowing regulating valve may be forcibly moved by a user along a linearpath of travel from a first position which prohibits fluid flow from theinternal cavity of the container body, to a second position, whichallows fluid flow from the internal cavity of the container body.
 19. Afluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the outsidefacing surface of the removable lid defines an upwardly extendingsipping spout, and the first aperture is formed in the sipping spout,and wherein the outside facing surface further defines a cavity which isdefined by a sidewall, and the second aperture is located in the cavity.20. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 19, and wherein afirst channel is formed in the main body of the removable lid, and whichreceives, and supports, at least in part, the fluid flowing regulatingvalve in a perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axisof the container body.
 21. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim20, and wherein the fluid flowing regulating valve has a main body witha proximal end which may be grasped by the fingers of a user, and adistal end, and wherein a post is made integral with the main body ofthe fluid flowing regulating valve and extends downwardly therefrom, andwherein a first fluid impervious seal is borne by the fluid flowingregulating valve and engages the first channel which is formed in themain body of the removable lid.
 22. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimedin claim 21, and further comprising: a fluid passageway made integralwith the main body of the removable lid and extending downwardlyrelative to the inside facing surface thereof, and wherein the fluidpassageway has a proximal end which is coupled in fluid flowing relationrelative to the first aperture formed in the removable lid, and anopposite, distal end, and wherein a second fluid impervious seal ismounted on the distal end of the fluid passageway and sealably engagesthe distal end of the fluid flowing regulating valve when the fluidflowing regulating valve moves linearly along the path of travel betweenthe first and second positions.
 23. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimedin claim 22, and wherein, in the first position, the first and secondfluid impervious seals prevents the source of fluid contained within thecontainer body from being dispensed from the fluid dispensing vesselthrough either the first or second apertures, and wherein when the fluidflowing regulating valve is moved from the first position to the secondposition, the source of fluid may move from the container body past thedistal end of the fluid flowing regulating valve and through the fluidpassage for dispensing through the first aperture, and wherein the firstfluid impervious seal permits the cavity of the container body tocommunicate with the surrounding ambient environment.
 24. A fluiddispensing vessel as claimed in claim 23, and wherein the support memberdefines a cavity which receives the post which depends downwardly fromthe fluid flowing regulating valve, and wherein the post cooperates, atleast in part, with the support member to define the course of travel ofthe fluid flowing regulating valve between, the first and secondpositions.